Wrestling The Pods 2/26 – 5 Top Listens from Last Week

I have been listening to podcasts for over two years now and I can’t go a day without listening to people just talk about my favorite thing in the world: professional wrestling.

Reading has never been something I’ve enjoyed and that’s why I like podcasts so much. Podcasts have made learning so much easier, and who doesn’t love learning about wrestling? Now you don’t have to read a ton of words. Instead, you can just to listen to people talk!

I usually listen to at least 15 hours of podcasts per week. Correct me if I’m wrong but that’s not normal! Listening to podcasts has helped me get through long work days. They make hours feel like minutes. I’ve found myself laughing in quiet places, which results in strangers staring at me. As if my social anxiety wasn’t already difficult to deal with.

I figured it was time to share podcasts I enjoy listening to with all of you. It’s the least I can do for these people who give their time and effort for us to get some entertainment in our lives. This column is about my top wrestling podcast episodes of the week that you need to check out!

I am not here to tell you who the best broadcasters are, I’m here to tell you the podcasts that got me through the week, made me smile, and gain knowledge on the wrestling product. I have went on long enough, let’s get into my top wrestling podcast episodes for the week of 2/20/17 to 2/26/17.

After 77 episodes, the boys are closing up shop. Parv, Pete, Kelly, and Johnny have a chemistry like no other. Each guy gives great insight about wrestling from the 1970s and through the 1980s. The boys cover nine matches in this episode including Bruno Sammartino vs. Waldo Von Erich in Madison Square Garden from 1975!

I never got to enjoy wrestling from this time, so it’s rather remarkable how they paint the picture of what wrestling was like during this era. They make you want to go back and watch wrestling from this time. I chuckled throughout and the match recaps were very detailed.

No one skipped a beat in this episode. I enjoyed taking a deep dive into the 1980s with these four gentlemen and can’t thank them enough for all the time they put into this podcast series. The amount of knowledge I have gained about the 1970s and 1980s has been great and couldn’t have picked four better people to learn from. Thank you to our Titans!

Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan talk about what went on in wrestling from the week of February 15-21, 1998. They had no guest this week, but that didn’t stop the two from having an awesome five hour episode. The two gentlemen talk about Louie Spicolli, No Way Out of Texas, and more.

Going into this, I really didn’t know much about Louie Spicolli. Kris and David discuss the work of Louie and how the wrestling community was affected after his tragic death. Kris’ laugh is contagious, so be prepared to laugh a ton with Kris. Bix gives tremendous insight to Hulk Hogan’s reign of terror backstage in WCW at the time and how it would only get worse from there.

If you loved the Attitude Era in wrestling, this is the podcast episode for you!

Kris Zellner makes the list twice this week as the Exile on Badstreet returns! He is joined by Nick Maniwa who works for IWA Mid-South. The two talk about the year that was 2002 for the promotion.

Eddie Guerrero once had a triple threat match with Rey Mysterio and CM Punk in IWA, did you know that? I didn’t, until I listened to this gem of audio.

Nick talks about his relationship with Ian Rotten and other characters who worked the territory. Kris shares his memories of watching IWA Mid-South when the likes of CM Punk, Colt Cabana, and Chris Hero worked down there.

IWA Mid-South is something I haven’t watched much of, but after hearing this I went back and watched a few matches from back in the day. Independent wrestling is getting stronger and more popular than ever. Are you a big independent wrestling fan? This a great podcast episode for you!

John Pollock and Wai Ting go back to a time where WWE was not doing the hottest. Randy Orton and Triple H were getting ready to head into war at WrestleMania 25 and Shawn Michaels was preparing for his classic match with The Undertaker.

John’s honesty really shines in this and makes you really appreciate the build heading into WrestleMania 33 as WrestleMania 25’s wasn’t that exciting. Wai discusses the popularity of Jeff Hardy at the time with John and how over he truly was. John’s cheesy puns always make me giggle no matter how awful or good they might be. Wai’s takes on the product are very great per usual and gives you a different perspective that makes you think a little bit. Want to compare the hype from WrestleMania 25 with this year’s? Give this podcast episode a listen and see how they shape up side by side.

Dylan Harris, Fredo Esparza, and Liger Fever discuss this week’s hot topics in Lucha Libre. These three gentlemen have been only doing this podcast for a short time and it has really peaked my interest.

I never have been too much into Lucha Libre but Lucha Talk keeps me up-to-date. The three talk about the hot topic that is Sam Adonis and his “Pro-Trump” character. Fredo discusses doing things at the right time and in the right place. Fredo, Liger, and Dylan discuss how the fans of Mexico view the gimmick. It was fascinating to learn about how the fans over in Mexico actually think about President of the United States. The little humor along with the information about matches that took place over the past week really make this a “must listen” if you are a fan in the world of Lucha!

That’s all I have for this week. I hope you all give at least one of these a listen, they were all a joy to hear. Next time you hear from me, I will be back with five more podcast episodes for you to listen to from the week of 2/27/17-3/4/17. Until then, thank you for reading and see you next time!